THANKSGIVING

Jack Davis

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift – II Cor. 9:15.” God’s immeasurable, inexpressible giving calls forth from us wholehearted thanks-living. That is thoughtful expression of real appreciation, not just lip service, but true deeper from the heart, activating our lives.

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered him up for us all,  how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Rom. 8:31-34.

We truly give ourselves to God’s beneficial will, when we presently realize how blessed we are even now. Then we also are blessed to consider how good He has been to us in the past. Then yet to know of the great goodness our Father has in store for us for ever with our Lord. Oh to realize that all is made abundantly available unto us is upon the basis of the unselfish sacrifice of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, what a long lonesome journey He traveled in order to prepare for us (the dreaded cross, even the lonely tomb), but then, thank God He arose, to return to the place of our soon to be heavenly home! The joyful presence of our Father’s welcome home.

But now thank God through out this age He has also been working in us to get us ready for that glorious place with Him. We now truly more fully express our appreciation as we keep coming back to Him for more and more of all that He has been preparing us for.

See I Thess. 2:11-13: Paul thanked God that those believers would walk worthy of God who had called them unto His kingdom and glory. Such manifested thankful hearts, of those that received the Word of God, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which works effectually in those that believe. Phil. 2:13: For it is God that works in us the will and do of His good pleasure. 

Thank God for the developing of the life of  Christ in us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the effectual working of the Word in us. Oh yes, He said I go to prepare a place for you, and oh how He has faithfully worked. But yet not every eye has seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of every man all that He has prepared for them that love Him in return. This plan all originated with our loving Father and our gracious Lord. As we yield our life more completely to God, our lives are made more fruitful unto His glory. Thank God!

He has the best possible worth sharing program there could ever be; and the best security system. He said, I am thy shield and exceedingly great reward. Praise God! They are out of this world. When we give ourselves or of ourselves, let it be of loves appreciation rather than legal requirement. When we let the love of Christ constrain us, such is most beneficial, blessed and eternally enjoyable.

EXAMPLES  OF  THANKFULNESS

and encouragement thereunto

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Psa. 68:19. Can we believe it and back our wagon up and load up and share them with others? With thankfulness? When? Early? At midnight I will arise to give thanks unto thee. Psa. 19:62. Shall I leave my rest behind, at opportune times and otherwise? It is our privilege always to have an attitude of gratitude! Is such an aspect of overcoming? How would a full overcomer think of praise and thanksgiving as a sacrifice? Especially in view of all our dear Lord has done and is doing for us, and in us? Oh what a grand and glorious privilege! 

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.” Psa. 92:1-2. When the writer says “good,” it is speaking of that which is most beneficial, to take highest enjoyment therefrom. “Thing” in italics would indicate far more than a singular act, but a precious privileged practice. Paul sings, “In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thess. 5:18. 

Thank God that we can expect Him to make all things work together for our good. Rom. 8:28. We know it is so good for us to enter such a state being thankful, because He repeatedly tells us so. We are glad to do it with delight because He enjoys it, and we have joy in pleasing Him, “Our beloved.”

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” Col. 1:12. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Col. 2:6-7.  “...let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Col. 3:15. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Col. 3:17.

God’s will for our thankfulness is abundantly stated. Our desire to please Him should equate thereunto.